Читать книгу The Man Inside онлайн

45 страница из 64

Douglas rose, stepped behind Brett, and peeped over his shoulder into the silver-mounted mirror, which the latter had removed from its place on the mantel.

The large, bold writing was fairly legible. “What do you make out of it?” asked Brett impatiently.

Obediently Douglas read the words aloud:

“‘Am writing in case I don’t see you before you’—” the writing ceased.

“He must have been interrupted,” explained Brett, “and clapped down the blotter on top of the sheet so that whoever entered couldn’t see the written words. Now look at the other side,” and he turned over the blotter on which were traced only a few words:

“‘I have discovered——’” read Douglas.

“What do you think of it?” asked Brett, putting the blotter in an inner pocket of his coat.

“It depends on when it was written”—Douglas’ eyes strayed to the door. Surely Brett had closed it when they entered, now it stood partly open into the hall. He pointed silently to it, and by common impulse both men stepped out into the hall.

Listening intently they heard a faint rap on one of the doors in the upper hall; then a high-pitched, quivering voice reached them: